College prepares for nursing program expansion

Due to an increase in enrollment over the past few years, Lakeview College of Nursing (LCN) plans an estimated $1.6 million, 4,900-square foot expansion project.

The institution, which offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree, pursued and received the Independent Colleges Capital Improvement grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

To date, LCN has received about $250,000 of the expected $1 million from the state, which has been used to hire an architect to draft a plan for the expansion. Any Additional funding that will be needed for this project will come directly from the institution itself.

According to Sheila Mingee, LCN’s associate CEO, the construction will be completed in two phases. The building project will first focus on updated classrooms, a student study area, a main office and ancillary space.

The second Phase of the project will include the addition of a nursing skills lab, which will house the school’s human patient simulator, as well as a conference/reference library area and faculty space.

“We are excited about how this will enhance the learning experience of our students as well as give us the potential to provide the community with more nurses,” says Mingee.